Jim, California, 1969. No. 310: Born Again At 30,000 Feet

I was in the Peace Corps in South America at the time I learned of the results of the 1969 lottery. I read about it in Time magazine at 30,000 feet over the Amazon Jungle on a flight from Rio to Caracas. When I learned I was number 310, I had the feeling I was...

Lance, California, 1969. No. 306: In The Vanguard

I remember the draft lottery vividly.   I was 21 and a senior at UCLA.  I had a history of activism dating to co-founding at least one BSU and starting my writing career at 18, having delivered many culturally-relevant essays and poetry for a variety of...

Jerry, California, 1970. No. 189: Far From Radical

I registered with my local draft board on March 21, 1969.  I was a full-time student at UCLA and consequently was classified II-S.  My lottery number was 189.  Like many students my age I was opposed to the war, but I was far from radical and believed...

Lowell, California, 1969. No. 281: Over-Corrective Lenses

This is absolutely true. I graduated UCLA in June, 1969, and was about to start graduate school in September when I received my notice to appear for the pre-induction physical. I knew this was coming — since I had lost my student deferment — but...

Bill, Texas, 1969. No. 266: To Do It Over Again

It was the Spring of 1967 and I was concentrating on graduating from high school.  The war was probably the third or fourth thing on my mind.  First of all, I wanted some time to play and celebrate graduating before heading off to college for more play and...